Shanklin, Isle of Wight Shanklin is where thatched cottages meet golden sand and are one of the most popular destinations on the Isle of Wight for traditional seaside holidays. The golden sandy beaches have safe bathing water and currently holds a seaside award, the beach stretches for miles and visitors can walk from Shanklin to Sandown via the beach. Away from the beach is the main town which hosts a multitude of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants to enjoy, further up the cliff is the Old Village a must-see spot to visit with its pretty thatched cottages, cosy tearooms and craft shops to explore. Here you will find the entrance to the Shanklin Chine a deep gorge carved out by a stream, which is a restful and picturesque place to spend the morning or afternoon. In the evening the waterfalls and woodland are illuminated, giving the gardens a totally different aspect and atmosphere, at the bottom of the chine you will find the Pluto pipeline used during the Normandy invasion in 1944, to carry petrol under the Channel to Cherbourg.
A lot of the holiday accommodation in Shanklin can be found atop the sandstone cliffs offering magnificent views out across the channel, for those staying on the cliff tops the lift provides quick and easy access down to the beach and main esplanade. Once on the main esplanade, you find a number of great seaside attractions such as the arcades, crazy golf, pirates cove and traditional seaside shops selling all you will need for a day on the beach or in the water.
